Arrell Law LLP

02/14/2026

From all of us at Arrell Law, please enjoy this lawyerly meme.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

02/13/2026

From all of us at Arrell Law LLP, we hope you have a wonderful Family Day!

We will be closed on Monday so that our staff can spend some time with their families. We will reopen during our usual business hours on Tuesday.

Enjoy the long weekend!

04/06/2023

From all of us at Arrell Law LLP, we hope
you have a wonderful Easter!

We will be closed on Friday & Monday so that our staff can spend some time with their families.

We will reopen during our usual business hours on Tuesday.

Enjoy the long weekend!

03/17/2023

From all of us at Arrell Law LLP, we hope
you have a wonderful Saint Patrick’s Day!

If you choose to have a green beer, please remember to drink responsibly.

03/07/2023

What do I need to prepare before meeting with an Estate Planning Lawyer?

Your lawyer will ask questions about your relationships (current and former) and your children. It is useful to know the spelling of everyone’s names, your dates of marriage and/or divorce, and if there is a court order or separation agreement in place.

Your lawyer will also ask about your property. The reporting letter from your original purchase is a helpful document to bring with you. If you cannot locate this document, your lawyer may ask to run a title search to obtain a copy of your deed and/or parcel register.

It is also important to review your assets - how many bank accounts do you have? Do you have life insurance, private pensions or investments? Your lawyer will be interested in knowing the types of assets you own and how they are owned (joint, sole, and whether there are beneficiary designations on them).

You will need to think about who be your Executors and/or POAs, and consider speaking with them in advance. This will provide you with some insight into who is willing to take on these responsibilities.

You should consider whether there are any items that need to be mentioned specifically in the Will - a description of the item should be prepared to avoid any confusion.

If you plan to make gifts of cash to specific individuals or charities, ensure you have the correct spelling of their names and/or charitable registration number.

If you have prepaid funeral planning in place, it is helpful to know the name of the provider you have chosen.

Finally, consider who will receive the bulk of your estate (I.e., the residue). Your lawyer can assist with determining the appropriate distribution plan based on your needs.

Reviewing these topics in advance will assist you with being prepared to instruct your lawyer.

We offer appointments online, in-person or over the phone. We look forward to hearing from you, and are currently taking new clients.

Arrell Law LLP
2 Caithness St. W.
Caledonia, ON N3W 1C1
905-765-5414
[email protected]

02/28/2023

What is the value of having a lawyer help me with Estate Planning?

You’ve probably seen the Will Kits advertised online, or available for purchase in business supply stores and some book stores. These items cost considerably less than the documents prepared by a lawyer - so why bother hiring a lawyer at all?

The answer is simple - these documents are designed as a ‘one-size-fits all’ product, and do not take into account your specific circumstances. The documents also cannot provide with you advice, or explain the advantages of certain estate planning strategies designed to maximize the value of your Estate for your beneficiaries.

Wills and Powers of Attorney also have specific requirements when being signed by the drafter. If signed incorrectly, these documents may not be valid. A lawyer will supervise the ex*****on of these documents and ensure that they are properly signed.

Lastly, a lawyer can provide you with assistance in storing your documents. Your lawyer will ensure that an Affidavit of Ex*****on is completed at the time of signing, provide you with copies, and ensure the safe and secure retention of your documents.

We can assist you with creating new documents, or reviewing existing documents and providing you with advice about any changes or updates you may be contemplating.

We offer appointments online, in-person or over the phone. We look forward to hearing from you, and are currently taking new clients.

Arrell Law LLP
2 Caithness St. W.
Caledonia, ON N3W 1C1
905-765-5414
[email protected]

02/21/2023

Why do I need a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney (or POA) speaks for you during your lifetime, whether it is used with your consent, or because you lack the capacity to make your own decisions. Powers of attorney are occasionally referred to as “living wills”.

The most commonly used types are a POA for Property and a POA for Personal Care.

Do you have to have one? No. There are many people who do not.

However, if you are deemed incapacitated or incapable of making your own decisions, particularly with respect to your assets or property, someone must apply to become your substitute decision-maker. If nobody is willing to apply on your behalf, the Office of the Public Guardian & Trustee (OPGT) will step in and manage your affairs on your behalf.

While the OPGT is beneficial for people who do not have a support network, they are an extension of the government. They do not know you, and are required to make decisions about you within a regulatory framework. This may result in unintended consequences for you & your family when it comes to your personal affairs.

Creating a POA gives you & your family certainty and peace of mind about what will happen and who will assist you in the event that you become unable to make your own decisions. Having these documents in place before they are necessary means that your family will not be left scrambling in an emergency, or add to an already stressful situation. You will not have to experience gaps in continuity when it comes to managing your affairs and making decisions that take into account your specific circumstances, wishes or desires.

We can assist you with creating new documents, or reviewing existing documents and providing you with advice about any changes or updates you may be contemplating.

We offer appointments online, in-person or over the phone. We look forward to hearing from you, and are currently taking new clients.

Arrell Law LLP
2 Caithness St. W.
Caledonia, ON N3W 1C1
905-765-5414
[email protected]

02/15/2023

CRA is running a free information session for people aged 65+ on tax tips this afternoon. Check out their link below or visit Canada Revenue Agency’s social media page for more details!

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=505139841808520&id=100069375242403&set=a.165610979094743&mibextid=qC1gEa

02/15/2023

From all of us at Arrell Law, please enjoy this lawyerly meme.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

📷 credit: Texas Young Lawyers Association via litigation_god

02/14/2023

Why do I need a Will?

A Will is a legal document that contains the details of your estate plan. The primary components of a Will are:

1 - Executors - these are the people (or simply one person) who will administer your Estate and carry out the terms of your Will.

2 - Specific gifts or cash legacies - if you have personal items or gifts of cash to be given to a specified recipient, these will be distributed by your Executors.

3 - Residue clause - after your executors have paid any debts owing by your Estate (for example, funeral expenses and income tax payments), distributed any specific gifts and paid any cash legacies, what remains is known as the ‘residue’ of your Estate. This can be distributed to a single person, or multiple people in percentage-based shares.

If you do not have a Will, someone will have to apply before the Superior Court of Justice to administer your estate on your behalf.

Additionally, the relevant legislation in your jurisdiction will determine how your Estate will be distributed.

This process can be time-consuming, and may mean that your family cannot access funds from your Estate until a Certificate of Appointment is obtained from the Court.

A properly drafted Will ensures that your Estate will be administered by the Executor(s) of your choosing, and that your assets will be distributed to the people whom you wish to benefit. A Will can provide certainty to your family and guard against unintended consequences.

We can assist you with creating new documents, or reviewing existing documents and providing you with advice about any changes or updates you may be contemplating.

We offer appointments online, in-person or over the phone. We look forward to hearing from you, and are currently taking new clients.

Arrell Law LLP
2 Caithness St. W.
Caledonia, ON N3W 1C1
905-765-5414
[email protected]

02/11/2023

A great post on the difference between fixtures and chattels.

Did you know? Erin Murray and Caitlin Murray are sisters who grew up together in Caledonia, Ontario. They followed their father, Peter Murray into law.

Erin practices with Downey Tornosky Lassaline & Timpano Law, while Caitlin practices with Arrell Law LLP.

I sold my house. Do I pack my microwave?

As long as all you have to do is unplug it to take it with you, your microwave is a “chattel”. Chattels aren’t included in the sale of the home unless they are specifically mentioned in the your contract. Chattels are the items in your house that aren’t “affixed” – anything that can be freely picked up, or just requires unplugging, is probably a chattel. Most furniture and personal items fall under this category.

“Fixtures” are the items in your house that are affixed – anything that has been screwed in or glued on is likely a fixture. Ceiling lights and faucets are fixtures. If you have anything that’s a fixture that you want to take with you, this needs to be explicit in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Otherwise, you are selling it as part of the house.

Getting a lawyer to review your offer before you sign it will make sure you are buying or selling exactly what you mean to. Don’t have a real estate lawyer yet? We’d be happy to help. Contact us today at 705-327-2600, or reach out to Erin M. Murray, our real estate lawyer, directly at [email protected]. We are located in lovely downtown Orillia.